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Monday, May 31, 2010

Strider Balance Bike Review

Lucy and Julia can both ride a bike! (Scroll down to the next post for video clips.)

We're had a Strider Prebike for just over a month now and you can see from the videos that Lucy is doing very well with it. I initially thought that Julia would enjoy the bike most, as she is a bit more outgoing and Lucy is my cautious one. Both girls were very hesitant on the bike at first and wanted Daddy to hold on to the bike while they "rode"... or rather, "very slowly walked". After showing them video clips of kids riding their Strider bikes, Lucy was determined to learn. Without saying anything, she just kept picking up the bike to practice, slowly getting faster and learning balance. Julia also enjoys riding now and can pick up her feet and glide for a short time.

I had seen balance bikes popping up on the internet and in stores and was interested in trying one out. My girls aren't super sporty, but this looked like a great way to teach them balance and confidence. I read reviews and did some research looking for the best balance bike for our needs. Strider was my top pick for several reasons:

- lightweight. Its only 6.9 lbs. Lucy and Julia can both pick up the bike, carry it, and easily maneuver it while riding.

- small. The seat height is one of the smallest available on a balance bike, but still offers a good range of adjustability. The optional seat clamp quick release allows us to quickly adjust the seat height for our two riders.

- sturdy. I read reports of some of the wooden balance bikes falling apart or warping. The Strider is very sturdy and well made. Various replacement parts can be purchased from Strider if you were to need them.

Our Strider was easy to assemble, even for bike novices like ourselves, and the girls were excited to try it out. The first couple of times they were on the bike, I thought it was going to take them forever to learn. It did take weeks of practice, but now they are soo cute and love to glide on their bike. Lucy can even ride it through our bumpy yard with no problem. She rides down to my car parked at the end of the driveway, stops just in time and whips the bike around to come back up the driveway. She likes to ride the Strider when we go on a walk around the neighborhood and manages just fine the whole way.

I love our little Strider bike and love to see the confidence and enjoyment its given the girls, especially Lucy. We've been talking about getting her a bike with training wheels for her birthday this summer, but I'm so glad she's been able to learn on the Strider first. The other day as we were walking Ross even commented "This is just such a better way to learn to ride a bike!" Check out the Strider website for more information and fun video clips of children riding their bikes. And of course check out my cuties in the post below!

Disclaimer: We received a bike from Strider to review, no other compensation was received. All opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.

Would you like to win one?

Check out the Strider website and tell me what color you'd choose if you win. This is open to US residents only and will close on July 1st at midnight. Be sure to include your email address in your comment or blogger profile so that I can contact you. For extra entries you can do any of the following, leaving a comment for each one -

- follow my blog
- subscribe by email to my blog
- watch the videos in the post below this (come back here and tell me you watched them to get your extra entry)
- blog about this giveaway linking back here and to Strider (leave me the link in your comment)
- become a fan of One Little Word She Knew on Facebook

This makes a total of 6 possible entries. Good luck!

Please be sure to leave separate comments for each entry, and a way for me to contact you!! Thanks!Giveaway is closed. Congrats FancygrlNancy!

180 comments:

I love the looks of this bike and would love to win one for my kiddos. I really like the orange one because its Jack's favorite color. I follow your blog, subscribed to your blog, watched your videos which are adorable, and I became a fan on Facebook.

Wow I am also jealous, wish I could get some PR love like this for my blog! I'd go with either that delicious blue one or the bright yellow one. All of them are adorable! Barb g. directorylanesuperstoreATgmail.com

Aden is horrible at peddling and I think he would really get the hang of this, and I love how it teaches balance. I watched the video and then made My husband watch:) I follow your blog and on facebook. We would prefer orange or blue. Thanks for all you do! flterhorsts@gmail.com

About Me

Hi, I'm Christy, mom to six sweet kids on earth and one angel in heaven. Our girls are 11, 9, 7, and we have two boys ages 5 and 2. Baby girl is due soon! I write about "all things mom"- cooking, breastfeeding, cloth diapering, mothering, homeschooling, and more - with a special focus on healthy living and creating a safe home. I'm always researching and learning something new and this is my outlet for sharing some of that with others. If something you read here is helpful please leave a comment and let me know. Thanks for stopping by! christy.vw@gmail.com